By Elizabeth Angira
Worth Noting:
- Mr Arati showed interest to vie for gubernatorial the year 2019 said that he was pushed by the public on the grounds that, the county was undeveloped compared to other counties ,and there was high rampant of corruption.
- The journey of Mr Arati has not been an easier task, he got fierce battle from the incumbent governor regardless of the two were ODM candidates, it was alleged that the incumbent governor Ongwae was supporting UDA candidate Machogu.
- Mr Arati thanked the residents for believing in him and assured them for development also urged them maintain peace even after the election is over.
Orange Democratic Movement candidate Simba Arati been declared a winner by Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after he garnered 270, 928 votes.
Followed by Ezekiel Machogu (UDA) garnered 82,104 and Manson Oyongo (KNC) 32, 537 votes.
The total number of registered voters was 63710.
Arati who hails from Bobasi constituency becomes the first governor to succeed incumbent governor James Ongwae who hails from Abagetutu larger clan.
The new elect governor was competing with Chris Obure (Jubilee), Ezekiel Machogu (UDA), Manson Oyongo (KNC), Prof Sam Ongeri (DAP_ Kenya, Bishop Josiah Biyogo (Independent and Onchiri Ratemo(Usawa party).
Mr Arati was serving as Dagorethi North Mp then he moved to Kisii County to vie for gubernatorial seat
The race was witnessed between the two horse candidates Arati (ODM) and Machogu (UDA).
According to section of residents, the gubernatorial seat was to be succeed by other clans, this was the agreement when the incumbent governor was governing for the two terms.
For regional balance , Arati picked his running Robert Monda who hails from (Nyaribari ) , senator elect Richard Onyonka (Bogetutu( and Woman representative Dorice Donya Aburi (Bonchari), and likely hood speaker will come from (Bomachoge) and County secretary (South Mugirango).
Journey of Mr Arati
Mr Arati showed interest to vie for gubernatorial the year 2019 said that he was pushed by the public on the grounds that, the county was undeveloped compared to other counties ,and there was high rampant of corruption.
The journey of Mr Arati has not been an easier task, he got fierce battle from the incumbent governor regardless of the two were ODM candidates, it was alleged that the incumbent governor Ongwae was supporting UDA candidate Machogu.
The battle started when he showed interest to vie for Kisii gubernatorial seat.
It is on record that the incumbent governor started to rally against Arati telling the electorates not to vote for him, since he is a youth saying that the county needed aged leaders to govern it.
The beef worsened until ODM party leader Raila Odinga when he had a rally at Kisii County and he reconciled the two.Team work
He called upon his opponents to work together regardless they were competing on the gubernatorial seat.
“There is need for us to work together, that’s politics, let’s work together and shine our county, “he said.
He asked Ongwae to bury the differences and know that he is now the governor and work together.
“I have forgiven you Ongwae, regardless you were supporting your preferred candidate, God has proved to you that , your plans were invalid, “he said
On matters of development
Mr Arati started from the scratch to build houses to the vulnerable families, he realized some residents of Gusii region were languishing from poverty and others were living on tattered grass houses.
He started to build houses in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
“Since I was brought up in a vulnerable family, it hurted me when I look in Gusii region up to this era, people are living in a tattered leaking houses,” he said.
Mr Arati has promised to sojourn from where the incumbent Ongwae has left to better it.
He also promised to revive the incomplete banana and avacado industries
He calls upon the nurses who were on strike to return on job and those who have not received their salary he will make sure that they are paid.
He further said that he will make sure the county has prospered from where it is.
Mr Arati thanked the residents for believing in him and assured them for development also urged them maintain peace even after the election is over.